We don't fear anyonesays Royals midfielder

KEVIN WATSON has admitted that any rivalry between Reading and Brighton will be put firmly aside when the teams meet at the Withdean Stadium on Saturday.

A minor war of words erupted last year when the two sides were vying for promotion from Division 2 last season, but Watson believes that will be forgotten once the game starts.

"There was a bit of history last year but once we get to kick-off time it's just going to be another game of football," he said.

After a phenomenal campaign last season which saw Brighton clinch the Division 2 title, they have struggled and currently prop up the Division 1 table.

And last night they went down 3-2 at Nottingham Forest, a result which pushed Royals down to fifth place.

However, Watson said the South coast side's defeat could provide them with extra motivation.

"Obviously Brighton finished ahead of us last year," he said. "And we were expecting them to be doing well again.

"On the basis that we have done so well, they will maybe be a bit more up for it than some other games."

But with Royals extending their unbeaten run to five games with a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Tuesday, Watson believes they have nothing to fear.

"We knew that it was going to be a tough game at Palace," he said. "But at the moment we are not afraid of anyone.

"Once we started the game we just grew in confidence, went on to do our stuff, and Nicky Forster took his goal very well.

"It was probably our best performance of the season."

Watson insists that the play-offs are now a realistic target for Reading.

"We're in a position now where I think we can get into the play-offs," he said.

"We have gone on a run which suggests we can do that.

"We have now played most of the top sides and we are still up there. That tells us that our form is good enough."

However, the former Rotherham midfielder said that Royals would not be taking Brighton lightly, despite their position at the foot of the table.

"We know it's going to be difficult," he said. "They have picked up at the moment and done well over their last three or four games.

"We will be looking at it as if it is our hardest game to date."

M ROYALS fans travelling to Brighton by train are reminded that there are no trains running from Haywards Heath to Preston Park (the nearest station to Withdean Stadium), and they are advised to make alternative arrangements.